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Hello, everyone! I’ve got news, for those of you who haven’t heard it already!
In April, I’m hosting free early morning writing sessions over Zoom, and you’re invited! They’re 7 a.m. CST, Monday through Friday, starting Tuesday, April 1 (no fooling.)
I’ve hosted months of early morning writing Zooms before, and it’s a great way to get some writing in with no distractions before you have to deal with the rest of your life. You can go every morning, drop in now and then, or just make one special guest appearance…it’s up to you! If you want to join me, please do! Just email me at bryndonovan1@gmail.com, and I will email back with the Zoom link.
In other news…
Facebook Pirated 7.5 Million Books, Including All of Mine
Different people have different opinions on whether so-called AI companies have the right to “learn” from books. It seems to me that “learn” means “remix in a way that’s complicated enough to avoid copyright infringement lawsuits.” And these machines can digest more books in a day than any one person can read in a lifetime. I don’t think it’s fair use.
What’s never been in question is whether it’s legal to pirate books. It’s not.
This isn’t a gray area. Under the No Electronic Theft Act, individuals can face up to five years in prison and fines up to $250,000, even when there is no profit from the infringement.
And yet Mark Zuckerberg reportedly directed his employees to steal 7.5 million books from a pirate website, with the expectation of making a staggering profit.
Mark Zuckerberg is one of the richest men in the world. He can hire the top thousand best lawyers in the U.S. He could do anything, literally anything at all, and not go to prison. He would probably see a loss of $250,000 like I’d see a nickel falling out of my purse.
I am an author who has poured her heart and soul into learning her craft and writing her books, over the course of decades. I always have to be thrifty, and every single book sale matters to me.
Mark Zuckerberg felt like it was fine to steal from me, and tens of thousands of authors like me.
If you are an author, you can check the database here to see if your work was stolen by Facebook (Meta.) If it was, the Authors Guild recommends good steps here.
This makes me all the more appreciative for readers and friends like you.
If you want to check it out my books for sale, you can do that here!
I Started Watching Murder She Wrote, and I Will Never Be the Same
I am old enough to have watched this show when it aired, but I never did! Last week, I checked out first season DVD from the library, and it was glorious. In the pilot, Jessica Fletcher accidentally becomes a best-selling novelist, as one does, goes on a media tour in New York, gets sort of hit on by the publisher, goes to his fancy estate for a costume party, shows off her seriously banging body in a fairy godmother costume, and then solves a murder. I am skipping many important details.
I love Jessica Fletcher. She’s smart, friendly, confident, and active. She is my idol.
Is your spring getting off to a good start?
Have you watched any good TV shows lately, old or new? Did Facebook steal your books? I’d love to hear all about it in the comments! Thanks for reading, and have a good week!
What time zone are you in for the zoom?
Hi Ella! Ooh, thank you for asking. I just updated the post! They are at 7 a.m. CST (Chicago time!)
I watch the original Frasier late at night just before bed. Laughing is relaxing! I don’t know yet if FB stole my books but I am going to check it out and share this post with other writers. Thanks!
Hi Tanya! Oh you know what, I loved Frasier, especially Niles. I hope none of your books were stolen! Yes, thanks for sharing with other authors!
There is no better medicine than laughter.
I love some of the old telly programs. Unfortunately they cannot make that sort of program any more as we have to ‘take into account people’s sensitivity!’ How did we ever survive being laughed at??? So many good things happen but more silly things today.
Sad but true.
Hi, Lorraine! It’s so true that laughter is so good for us! Frankly, I could use more comedy in general. 🙂 Hope everything is going well with you!
Sounds great – does it start at 7am CT? Im ET, just wanted to confirm
Sorry about the confusion, Elizabeth—I just updated the post! They are at 7 a.m. CST (Chicago time!)
Ugh, yep, one of my books was stolen, but this isn’t new for me, as the same book stolen by Meta was stolen by multiple “people” about a year after it was released and I spent over 6 months trying to get the fakes (there were three that I found) taken down (and the reason why I refuse to work with Ingram as they allow for this) and was never able to prove who had stolen it. Anyways, clearly still a little upset, haha. What have I watched lately that I enjoyed . . . so few good programs on, and I always love re-runs of great shows. I’m currently watching Little People, Big World, there are 25 seasons so I have a ways to go, as I’m only on season 12. Wishing you a much better April!!
Ugh, Savannah, so sorry to hear! It’s so frustrating. I’m pretty sure Meta could afford to buy these ebooks! I’ve never seen Little People, Big World…wow, 25 seasons! I hope you have a great April, too!
I watched the first two episodes of Mid-Century Modern and I have not laughed so hard in a long time. The word of mouth has it as the gay man’s version of Golden Girls. Let’s just say they cast Matt Bomer as the “Rose” architype, and you can tell he’s enjoying the heck out of the role.
Oh, I didn’t even know about this show, and it looks so good! I am going to check this out!
Will be emailing to join you in writing starting April 1! Loved Sprynting with you last summer! As for fun tv, my husband and I are able to netflix streaming and often select their category Romance Comedy! Even seeing some of them more than once and still laughing. Usually do it in the evening after a stressful day full of disturbing news.
I’m so glad you’re going to be joining us, Mary! Yeah, one can definitely overload on disturbing news. It’s important to keep a balance!
Hi Bryn! I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through this with your books. I hope it will be remedied soon! I love Murder, She Wrote, and watch it on Prime. Seasons 1-6 are on there, and then there is the “channel” that plays it non-stop, back to back. I love the Irish episodes, but there are a few I watch when I’m having a bad day, just because they are funny! I’ll find them if you want me too. I really wish I could participate in your write in party! It sounds so fun and a great way to get some writing in! Sadly, I work a corp job. I am west coast, working east coast times, so already working off hours. I wish everyone a great time, and will participate in spirit later in the afternoon when I off. Take Care! TTFN!
There are IRISH episodes? Oh my goodness, I’m excited. 🙂 When I was working West Coast hours in Chicago, it was sometimes a challenge—I can only imagine how much more of a challenge it is to be on West Coast and work East Coast times! I wish you could join us, but I hope you have a great writing month! 🙂
Aww, thank you so much! I plan on having my book finished by the end of the month. Yes, there are two Murder, She Wrote shows that are Irish! A Killing in Cork, season S10 E7 and Nan’s Ghost S12 E6 – this one is 2 episodes long. Both are great! I hope it was a good turn out and everyone got lots done!
I’m so sorry to hear about the books! That’s despicable! I am excited, though, about writing sprints! Will be joining in when I can!
Whitney, hiii! Thanks…the book theft thing really is despicable. Thousands of authors are in the same boat, of course, but that doesn’t make it any better! It’ll be great if you can join us for some of the sprints!
Best wishes on the sprints. I know how much fun it was last time. This time, however, I have a new puppy who has her own plans for my early mornings. LOL
Also, thank you so much for the Meta piracy information. My books weren’t on the list (yet), but how can anyone’s work be safe?
As ever, Bryn, thank you for all you do. <3
NEW PUPPY! That’s so exciting! They are sure a lot of work, but so much fun!
I’m so glad to hear your books aren’t on the Meta piracy list!
Thanks for the kind words 🙂 I appreciate you!
First of all, I am furious on behalf of all authors whose work was pirated by Meta. These companies, and especially their filthy rich CEOs, think they can get away with anything just because they are rich and, sadly, every day we seem to be watching how they are right. While I don’t condone willful ignorance, I really need to keep my head in a positive space right now.
So onto Jessica Fletcher!! I LOVE that you’re watching this. I watched it occasionally with my grandma when I was younger ( I, too, am old enough to have seen many episodes when they aired), but about a year ago my husband and I watched every episode from start to finish over the course of many months thanks to our local library having all of them on DVD! We’re currently working our way through Taskmaster on YouTube. I highly recommend it if you haven’t seen it!
I’m so sorry Meta stole from you and nearly every author I know, including an aunt’s published papers from when she was a professor. So far, I think I’m spared.
I saw Murder She Wrote once in a while when it first aired.
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Hi Bryn, I emailed you about the writing group but haven’t heard back – I’d love to join! I have to admit I have never seen Murder She Wrote; going to save that for the next time I’m sick as a comfort watch (last time around it was a Bridgerton rewatch).
LOOOONG time fan of Murder She Wrote! Love that it’s often run on cable mystery channels. A lot of the time, I’ll just have it on in the background (I do have a Murder Mystery Romance semi drafted, but Mystery isn’t my primary wheelhouse and I’m always on the look out for how to plot the whole thing. I already know who all the suspects are and who did it – just not sure how to weave it all together – but I’m in the middle of writing a 9 book series currently, so it can wait.)
Of course, you’ll never find me visiting Cabot Cove! Just too risky. LOL
Sorry you were robbed! 7 of mine are in that database!!! SMFH!
As if I didn’t already like FB & IG…
Oh I’m so excited the writing sprint group is back! I had a scheduling conflict last year so I’m so glad I can join this time 🙂
I gave up TV for Lent, but before that I was really enjoying The Rookie and The Librarians!
She has a series of books out through NetGalley (for free), but I’m never approved! So sad.